U.S. Congressional Candidate And Iraq War Veteran Kept His Awards For Heroism Secret During Campaign

Rob Fox11 years ago

Seth Moulton, the 35-year-old Democratic candidate for the congressional seat in Massachusetts’ 6th District, served four tours in Iraq as a Marine. During his time serving the country he was awarded twice for heroism. Normally, this is the sort of thing that would be played up, if not at least mentioned, by a candidate running for, well, anything, regardless of whether it’s the presidency or “American Idol,” or something else outside of the two elections the American people care most about. Hell, if I were a veteran I’d flaunt that shit every time people in the office were voting where to order lunch from.

“I’m just saying guys, I like Pizza Hut better than Papa Johns. But maybe I just think differently. War does change you. Plus doctors said that the piece of shrapnel that went into my skull is poking the taste center of brain. What do I know? I’m just a veteran.”

*everyone wipes away tears, office manager calls Pizza Hut*

So why would Moulton not go full on Danny Chung and relentlessly mention his impressive war record? For a reason that’s about to make you get up from your desk and take a moment.

Moulton said he is uncomfortable calling attention to his own awards out of respect to “many others who did heroic things and received no awards at all.”

Oh God. Holding back so. many. man tears. Excuse me while I sprint to the nearest American flag and salute it.

Moulton was awarded for the following:

In 2003 and 2004, during weeks-long battles with Iraqi insurgents, then-Lt. Moulton “fearlessly exposed himself to enemy fire” while leading his platoon during pitched battles for control of Nasiriyah and Najaf south of Baghdad, according to citations for the medals that the Globe requested from the campaign.

The Globe learned of the awards — the Bronze Star medal for valor and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medal for valor — after reviewing an official summary of Moulton’s five years of service, in which they were noted in military argot.

Obviously there is a hearty distaste for Democrats on this site, but regardless of political affiliation, it’s clear this guy is a badass on and off the battlefield. This is an admirable move, to be sure. Then again, the part of me that has watched way too much “Veep” thinks Moulton purposely “kept his war record secret” until it could be “discovered” a week or two before the election and that this is actually just the most genius, calculated political strategy of the Midterms. Crap I hope that’s not what happened.

Nah. This is a good dude..

[via The Boston Globe]

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